“I am a white, heterosexual, able-bodied male: the most privileged demographic in human history. If I’m going to be the bridge to ending racism in Saskatoon or anywhere else, I have to acknowledge my own privilege and I have to acknowledge my own racist attitudes, and work through my discomfort.”

The billboard shows only part of his quotation on circle drive… and the crowd goes WILD!

This man speaks a whole lot of truth and he has it all right. The truth behind his words is what has gotten everyone so shaken up about. The white and fragile public of Saskatoon are only mad because it is true. It is the easier route to take offence to bold claims and lash out than to actually face the truth and deal with the issue. I believe that the controversy that has been driven up from this campaign is actually the proof that it is working and being noticed. If they keep going with their efforts regardless of the push back, maybe people would stop overreacting and start actually thinking. To react is everyones innate response and with time, they will be able to look deeper and think about it.

There was one comment made regarding the campaign that really hit home to me:

“I have not had one hand out due to being white I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am. All of my friends and family have worked their ass off to get where they are.”

I have heard this statement and so many others alike that it just stirs up so much anger in me. How can someone be so naive and so blind to the ‘handouts’ that he/she has recieved in his/her lifetime. He got that job due to the colour of his skin. He got that loan for his house and car so easily due to the colour of his skin. He graduated high school due to the colour of his skin. All cards were stacked in his favor due to the colour of his skin. AND, instead of being grateful and appreciative for the colour of his skin… he chooses to be defensive and fragile.

A term coined by Robin DiAngelo, who describes the phenomenon as the following.

“White people in North America live in a social environment that protects and insulates them from race-based stress. This insulated environment of racial protection builds white expectations for racial comfort while at the same timelowering the ability to tolerate racial stress, leading to what I refer to as White Fragility. White Fragility is a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium.

No one is saying that white people don’t work hard. No one is saying that they deserve it all taken away from them. What people are saying is that the odds were in your favour over someone else’s and that you have ‘invisible’ handouts that you should be at the least grateful and humble about.

Stop being so defensive. Stop getting so angry. This campaign and others’ alike are not created to make you feel guilty about being white. They are not set out to say that being white is bad. They are set out to raise awareness that all is not fair in the world, so let’s try to make it better and be grateful for any forwards progress that we make. Let’s just even the playing field a bit.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it is hard to see the good in a place that intended to wipe out an entire culture of people. Senator Beyak needs some medical examination and/or education if she truly believes in the words that vomit from her mouth.

She buries all of her racist and hateful words in a polite tone hoping that people won’t see through to her true self but that never works. Her words were heard at face value and people reacted to her racism in many ways. To those that wrote letters of appreciation to her, well they are just as uneducated and naive as her and unfortunately those people do actually exist.

Has anyone ever had someone say, “ No offence but….” and then proceed with something super offensive?? Did you still feel offended or did saying ‘no offense’ first make it all better? That is what Lynn Beyak was doing. And like every other time someone did that…it is still offensive and it never makes what follows it okay.

I am happy that Beyak was forced to step down BUT I am unsure if the intentions for this action were authentic and for the right reasons. Was she encouraged to step down because politics is moving in a more positive and inclusive directions OR did this occur simply because they didn’t like that bad publicity?

Gerald Stanley.

Names gone just about as viral as the injustice in this country and world abroad.

What can be done to change all this? The opportunities are endless but very few people seem to be taking the bate and initiating the necessary change.

And what is my part in all of this? I am of white settler ancestry and I am partly responsible for fixing this mess and yet I feel helpless and unequipped to handle it.

I come from a small town community where my friends and family hold much differing views from myself and very similar views to the ones you see plastered all over Facebook and other social media outlets. The negativity and hatred are endless and unfortunately powerful. Their voices are infectious, and everyone just keeps joining in and fuelling the hatred fire.

Who is left to douse it? MEEEE?!?

My family spends a lot of time avoiding conversations with me as they know that I will basically disagree with everything they say in regards to politics, social justice, anything! I hold a very different mindset than my family and community and I find it very difficult at times.

I do my part in sharing my view and trying my damndest to adapt others’ view as well. I only try to pry and change people if it is for the benefit of human kind and for a more loving and kind purpose. I guess I just try to make them see the implications of their ways. To see the negativity that they are spreading like wildfire and how it has no benefits for anyone. It is like we learned in elementary school… making someone else feel worse doesn’t make you feel any better. So why do it!?

I think that kindness is my strongest weapon. I have a way of talking to people that is very pursuasive and convincing. That is where I start my battle. I will confront every person, family or otherwise, about their negativity and hatred of others’. I will take the time to explain the facts and prove to them that negativity isn’t the answer. Us as education students have been so blessed to receive the education and knowledge that we have and I feel like it is my duty to share that with those who haven’t. So many people don’t take the time to learn the facts and rather spew out garbage and negativity on topics they don’t know. I will call every single person out on their naivety and hatred and change the world that way.

Missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) is an issue affecting indigenous people in Canada and the United States, including the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Native American communities. It has been described as a Canadian national crisis. Canadian indigenous women are disproportionately affected by all forms of violence, and are significantly over-represented among female Canadian homicide victims. They are also far more likely than other women to go missing.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls… one of the most infuriating, chill inducing topics. And that is coming from a white settler woman. Imagine the feelings of those women and families fearing the same outcome for themselves or their loved ones. Or imagine the suffering of the families who are enduring through the loss. Most of all… imagine the impact and damage on those lost souls out there, lost but never forgotten.

I mean, let’s be thankful that we are left imagining and not enduring.

This topic strikes such a bitter bone in my body. The stories of the hundreds of women and CHILDREN that disappear and get swept under the rug because the RCMP doesn’t want to ‘waste’ time and resources to find them. Who gets to decide who is worth finding, saving, and solving!? Not you, RCMP, and yet you continue to turn a blind eye to the tragedies that continually occur in this dog eat dog world.

and ps… your ill-attempt at apologies mean NOTHING when you make no change and continue to hide Indigenous women’s files at the bottom of your pile.

Soul

1. theprincipleoflife,feeling,thought,andactioninhumans,regarded asa

distinctentityseparatefromthebody,andcommonlyheldtobe separablein

existencefromthebody;thespiritualpartofhumansas distinctfromthe

physicalpart.

2. thespiritualpartofhumansregardedinitsmoralaspect,oras believedto

survivedeathandbesubjecttohappinessormiseryina lifetocome:

arguingtheimmortalityofthesoul.

3. thedisembodiedspiritofadeceasedperson:

I was very intrigued by the topic we discussed…thinking critically about what we think the impact is on the ‘soul’ of the people impacted by these avoidable tragedies. It resonates with me as I am very much trying to become more in tune with my soul and it’s divine purpose for me. I have been doing research and taking weekend courses around this topic and it just saddens me because I know that these tragedies would undeniably impact the souls of these people and families. I believe that the physical bodies of these missing and murdered Indigenous women were taken, used, and discarded but the souls were displaced and left unsettled. The souls are remain but they are tampered, and it will be difficult for them to fulfill their life’s purpose.

One thing I MUST add though, is that I also believe in Karma. I believe that what goes around, definitely comes around. And I just pray, that the perpetrators, the ignorers and the enablers receive their karmic consequences. That in this life or a future one, their soul too will be displaced and tampered with.

refers to the sacredness of the treaties, which was not recorded in written form. Relying on the written word alone is not sufficient because of the oral history component that is the First Nations peoples’ perspective.

What does that even mean?

When I see this on the curriculum document I still feel somewhat insecure about my understanding of the ‘spirit and intent’ of treaties. Gradually, my educational journey has been chipping away at this topic, unveiling what it actually means to me.

Both the Crown and the First Nations peoples intended to benefit from treaties and to be respectful of each other’s way of life. The Crown and First Nations peoples sealed the agreements before the Creator, which formed the relationship.

Here is where my understanding lies at this moment.

The Aboriginal peoples, before the newcomers arrived, made many treaties with each other. These treaty agreements were very spiritual, sacred and made without need of writing them down. There was a common understanding that these were living agreements and benefited all parties for all of eternity. Everyone abode by them.

After the newcomers arrived and felt the need to make these treaties in order to benefit their own lives… they naively made these ‘sharing’ agreements with a much different understanding and intent than the First Nations peoples. The First Nations assumed that they were consenting living spiritual agreements lasting as long as the sun shines, the river flows and the grass grows. Whereas the newcomers didn’t value this promise near as heavily as it was simply a means to dominate and take over.

HENCE the issues that we are facing today.

The terms agreed to, both written and spoken, would have a continual fulfillment without obstructions – this is why treaties are “living documents”.

The Two-Row Wampum helps to symbolize the spirit, intent and understanding that the First Nations peoples had during the treaty making process. It offers a symbol of sharing and living alongside one another without interference. It offers a symbol that my white ancestry clearly ignored and refused.

The pipe ceremony is a sacred ritual for connecting physical and spiritual worlds. The pipe is a link between the earth and the sky.

What I take from the pipe ceremony is that it is a means of connecting the spiritual realm with the physical realm, a whole mind, body and spirit type thing.

Now, I have never considered myself a very “spiritual” person in a sense of religion but within the last two years or so I have come to the realization that there has got to be more out there than what we can physically see!

I have taken to meditating, tarot cards, crystals, chakras and the whole bit. And to me, the pipe ceremony is very much the same as far as intentions go. This was my first experience with a pipe ceremony and if I’m being completely transparent, I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea that I would be given the opportunity to actually smoke a pipe – one that had such sacred importance and meaning especially. A pipe that would further help me to connect to the spiritual realm and further discover my spiritual/higher self.

Higher Self

Your higher self is the real you, the soul consciousness that is so, so much more than the physical form you know so well.

I felt truly honoured and I enjoyed every bit of it for that fact that it allowed me to continue to practice what I have been practicing and more importantly understand the culture and traditions of other peoples. To me, it also just pointed out more similarities between other cultures and myself, driving home the message that we are all more similar than we think.

I think what I have learned about pipe ceremonies and their relations to treaties, is that there is so much more out there than what we can see. The physical realm is actually the most miniscule piece of the puzzle. That which we can’t see governs the treaties. If we could set our intentions and offer them to the sky, then our prayers will be heard and granted if they are for the greater good of the people.

Treaty

The treaties in Saskatchewan are formal agreements between the Crown and First Nations with their expectations and obligations

Miskâsowin holds so much meaning in my life lately, I just never had a term to label it before. “There is so much more to us that what meets the eye”. We have all heard that saying before but I am just beginning to realize what it truly means. There are parts of our being that you truly can’t see, because the physical part of our being is only one small part. If we take into account the mind, body and spirit, you are able to get a more complete image of a person. But that image is hard to see as we are so trained to ignore and discredit those parts in today’s society.

My new intention is to shatter reality and become more “whole” in the true sense of my being. Acknowledging my mind, body, and spirit. Becoming my ‘higher self’ rather than just my physical self.

]]>https://laceybaucheblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/25/pipe-ceremonies-and-my-search-for-miskasowin/feed/2bauche2lTwo ~ Blanket Exercise & My Search for miskâsowinhttps://laceybaucheblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/17/141/
https://laceybaucheblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/17/141/#respondWed, 17 Jan 2018 18:00:31 +0000http://laceybaucheblog.wordpress.com/?p=141I heard mention of this so-called ‘blanket exercise’ early in my educational journey here at the U of R. It got my brain rolling, as I had zero clue as to what it entailed. I imagined many of things, none of which were anything close to what it actually is. Do we make blankets? Do we play with parachutes?

The answer is, NO.

My first experience of the blanket exercise was in Twyla’s class. I had no idea that we were doing it as she made no mention of it prior to that class. We were just simply thrown into it unknowingly. I was not bothered by this spontaneous act (surprisingly ~ as I typically hate change and spontaneity!) as I was naive to the power and emotion that this exercise provoked. Boy, were my eyes widened!

Blanket Exercise

A teaching tool to share the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

My first experience was an emotional rollercoaster. I thought that my education had prepared me for this moment. I assumed that I knew Canada’s history and understood the whole Settler/First Nations relationship. But, you know what they say about assuming…

The realization and the visual aspect that the Blanket Exercise gives you hit me like a tonne of bricks. I was so naive. In actuality, I had no clue what people went through nor did I or will I ever be able to feel/understand the pain that they endured. I never had my child ripped away from me. I never had my home/land folded back underneath me until there was nothing left to sustain. I never felt so displaced to the point in which I didn’t know which way ‘home’ was.

miskâsowin

I grew up WITH my family, in their care, under their roof, under their guidance.
I felt, firsthand, my family’s love. Felt their warm embrace.
I remember my education. I have blissful memories of my elementary teachers’. They hold a positive and loving memory in my heart.
I had the opportunity to eat sanitary and nutritious food in the comfort of my warm/loving home.
I was blessed to sleep in my own warm and cozy bed knowing that my family was there as my guardian.
I was neither beaten nor abused.

And the list…it goes on and on.

As you can tell by my narrative… I am a white settler of Canada.

My narrative doesn’t even begin to compare to those people(s) Indigenous to this land. Should I feel guilty for the discontinuity between our narratives? Should I feel angry? Should I feel blessed? What am I supposed to feel?

These are the problems that I am facing right now. This is where I am at. I have come to this realization and yet I am uncertain on how to navigate it.

Everyone knows that unsettled feeling of when you are trying to describe a ‘group of people(s)’ in it’s entirety or that feeling of when you are talking to someone from a so-called different ‘group’ than your own and you have the inner struggle of deciding which “term” to use to describe ‘them’ and yet not offend them!

Like, which term do I use? Which term is offensive? Which term describes ALL of ‘them’? Is there even a term that suits everyone? Does everyone prefer different terms?

And as you can see from my writing style above, even I am having a hard time describing these ‘people’ even though I don’t know which people I am even talking about, in fear of offending someone or implying that they are ‘others’ and I am not. Tossing out apostrophes and quotations marks as though I have no idea how to write in English.

These are tough waters to navigate! So please follow me on my journey and show me moral support as I attempt to do so!

To start it all of. We all know those certain buzz words that we know SHOULD NOT be used but yet there is some ambiguity in which ones we should! I don’t think I need to make mention of the words I am referring to either, we all know. Yet, we are all in the same search for answers of which umbrella term is safe to use for all people(s) of a certain group. If it even exists, I don’t know yet. My first instinct is that, no, it doesn’t. Just like in all other aspects of life, we are all different and possess different preferences. What offends one person, may be the preference of another. So, how the hell are we supposed to know!?

Identity is fluid

What someone prefers to be called today may endure change. I am starting to realize that it is OKAY to make a mistake. The person likely is not offended by what you call them so long as you are willing to adapt your term upon their preference. To be stagnant and inflexible in your terminology of people with be the cause of the problem. Being humble and unafraid to make mistakes to learn and grow alongside others is the key! Just be unafraid to stand corrected and don’t be offended when you do.

People(s) are very complex. You are complex. We can’t begin to get to know everyone, but we can TRY.

How do you describe yourself? I can’t say Canadian… because that is to ambiguous. That doesn’t tell you anything about myself other than the geographical location in which I live. To say that I am WHITE sounds offensive to myself due to our history. To say non- Native sounds offensive to ‘First Nations’ people. So really, who am I?

the non-Indigenous peoples living in Canada who form the European-descended sociopolitical majority

Well, that doesn’t sound right either, and it definitely doesn’t just roll off the tongue!

Let me try to get this right.
I am a white settler living on the land now referred to as Canada. I am a life-long learner attempting to navigate the rapid waters to a world of acceptance and harmony. I am a wanderer, seeking my place.

If you want a simpler ‘term’ as we all do, just call me Lacey because that’s about as simple as I can put it.

It is officially welcome week here at my hosting school for internship! And, by welcome week I don’t mean lovely hugs and greetings from my new students… I mean no kids yet just meetings, modules and professional development! BUT, don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining! I am simply enjoying the process of “teachering” and thankful to be welcomed with open arms into such an amazing school and community!

Like most of you student teachers that are experiencing all of this for the first time…we are in for many new beginnings, rude awakenings, and shattering misconceptions of what the teaching profession is all about!

It’s not all sunshine, rainbows, and lollipops, Folks! Its not working 8:30-3:30 and wonderful summer vacays! Sorry to disrupt your lovely perceptions!

Luckily, my perception of a “teacher” was shattered long ago and I am signing on for all of the right reasons and I want to be here for all the scrutiny, blood, sweat, and tears. Bring it on!

So, How did I prepare? How has my first week been going? What have I been doing? What am I planning you may ask!?

I was placed in Grade 3, by the way!

I began my journey by visiting my school (the end of the school year before I started interning) to meet the staff, students and get a feel for the community! Most importantly to introduce myself to the Principal (potential employer is always our hope, right?) and my cooperating teacher (this relationship and outcome is critical for employment AFTER internship. First person potential employers will call!). I created a quick relationship with my co-op, exchanged our best contact information and discussed briefly the expectations of the coming fall!

Over the course of the summer preceding my internship, I conversed back and forth with my co-op just enough to get a vague idea of what to expect and prepare for but hopefully not enough to annoy her with my hounding questions!

What units do i get to prepare!?

I chose math and science! I planned out a math unit (my first choice) for outcome N3.1 (Saskatchewan FYI) Numbers to 1000. Get at me if you have taught this and have any ideas/suggestions/materials to share! Likewise, if you would like to take a look at mine! I also briefly planned and prepared for the science unit on plants as that is my second choice and I am not overly sure how many I need to prepare for!

What else did I plan for?

I made lots and lots of lists! Brainstorming all off the things I want to try out during my internship! Let’s be honest, now is the time while you have guidance and support from a caring co-op to break your fall if it happens!

I made lists of all of the classroom management techniques I wanted to cover (with multiple suggestions/ideas for each overarching topic), Technology and Apps I want to test out and incorporate into my teaching (what kid doesn’t LOVE technology, right?), and exciting projects, crafts and other exciting Pinterest ideas that could be incorporated into my grade level curricula!

Most important of all…I made an awesome Pinterest board to get me excited!!

What now?

Create a beautiful little binder with all of your thoughts and ideas (because all teachers love to make things pretty!) including your unit plans, lesson plans, professional development goals and any other useful documents you may want on a daily basis. Get a day planner/calendar of some sort to jot down all of your important days and reminders (because there will be tons!).

Be prepared and be open-minded.

Take risks.

Be you but be open to change and suggestions (whether you use them or not).

Please stay tuned for an image of it actually being used on my horse once I get home to my furry friends!

Well my online learning project is finally complete and not a moment too soon! I have finally completed my crocheted saddle blanket and although there are a few little hiccups I am actually very proud of myself! It even turned out being the proper measurements and everything to fit under my big saddle! So exciting!

Learning how to crochet was actually way easier than I originally imagined! There are tons of online resources that can help you learn the very basics and beyond…and most of them are actually free also which is an added bonus for us broke students!

The hardest part about my project was when I ran out of my one ball of yarn, mid project, and had to go out and find the same colour and also teach myself how to add in a new ball of yarn. I managed to find the exact colour but by the time that I found it, I was so sick of looking that I didn’t check and make sure that it was the same weight or made of the same material! Whoops! So, part way through my project the stitches look slightly different and became WAYYY harder do because it was a stretchier type of yarn! NOTE TO SELF… be more conscious next time and make sure that you get enough of the same yarn to complete your project!

Another thing that I still want to learn to do is fix some mistakes! The one edge of my blanket is pretty crooked and waved … not exactly straight by any means! I want to see if there is any way that you can fix it up and fill in those droops to make it look more square and polished! If you have any insight or knowledge on this please let me know!

Here are a few of my favourite resources that I used to teach myself how to crochet! Check them out!

·First had trouble deciding on topic altogether

·Stuck between knitting or crocheting

·This website describes the differences between knitting and crocheting: